Gladiolus papilio

Quick Characteristics:

Flower Colors:

white, purple

Climate:

summer rain climate

Gladiolus papilio (syn. G. purpureo-auratus, G. brachyscyphus, G. spathulatus, G. schlechteri) is called the Butterfly Gladiolus, and grows in marshy ground, up to 2400 m, from the Eastern Cape to Limpopo Province. Claimed to be a hardy garden plant, grown in the UK since 1866. The first two photos were taken by Roy Herold in KwaZulu-Natal Province, near Kamberg in the foothills of the Drakensberg, in early December 2006. The third was taken by Rod Saunders. The fourth, an unusual color form was taken by Rachel Saunders in the mountains above Tzaneen, early January 2015. The last two taken in the Eastern Cape by Cameron McMaster.